When the lights dimmed Monday night for another episode of “American Idol,” Mississippi’s Daniel Stallworth heard his name called not once but twice, surviving two rounds of elimination.
Stallworth, a 27-year-old elementary school teacher from Moss Point, was named as part of the top 12 at the top of the show after an “unprecedented” number of votes came in a week ago and forced a delay in the count. In real time, fans were asked to again vote as each of the contestants tried to sing their way into the top 11.
Stallworth was the night’s third performer during the annual “Judges’ Song Contest,” in which Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan secretly picked songs they wanted to hear the contestants sing. Stallworth’s choices were “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell, “I Want You Back” by *NSYNC, and “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” by Lenny Kravitz.
Even though Stallworth admitted he wasn’t familiar with the Kravitz hit, he went with it and his willingness to learn did not go unnoticed. After easing into the song on the keys, he stood up and took control of the stage adding his own twist to the R&B ballad.
“I love that you stepped outside of what the norm might be for you. You really did your own thing. I respect that so much,” Underwood said as Richie pitched in, “You can’t teach vibe. You’ve got a vibe.”
‘Beating on pots and pans’: How Daniel Stallworth found musical roots
“The fact that you didn’t know that song and delivered it that way, I learned so much about you,” said Bryan, who proceeded to celebrate that it was his song choice for the aspiring star.
Stallworth’s performance was also a jam among the fans as he garnered enough votes by the end of the episode to be included in the top 11. Those eliminated during the episode were Julian Kalel, Jake Thistle, and Jesse Findling. Richie was ultimately the “Judges’ Song Contest” winner, earning a save that he used on Rae over Findling.
Stallworth is the fourth Mississippian in the past four seasons to advance this far in the competition. Monroe County’s Colin Stough and Zachariah Smith both made it to the top 5 of season 21 before Meridian’s Jamal Roberts went on to win it all a year ago in season 23.
“American Idol” season 24 will return on Monday, April 13, at 8/7c on ABC. The top 11 will perform iconic hits from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees in line with the Hall’s same-day announcement of its 2026 class. During the episode, America will vote for the top 9.